Construction material and securing means therefor



Dec. 3, 1957 v. F. SEARS 2,8 ,840

CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND SECURING mans THEREFOR Filed Feb. 8, 1952 1 v INVENTOR. VERA/0N E SEARS United States CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL AND SECURING MEANS THEREFOR Vernon F. Scars, Pelham Manor, N. Y., assignor to United States Plywood Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 8, 1952, Serial No. 270,565

2 Claims. (Cl. 20-15) The present invention relates generally to interior wall constructions and more particularly to those constructions employing prefabricated panels which are assembled at the point of use.

The present application is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application Serial No. 699,244, filed September 25, 1946, entitled Construction Material, and issuing into Patent No. 2,706,838, dated April 26, 1955.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a building material with grooved edges whereby the material may be assembled with the avoidance of visible exterior securing means.

Another object of this invention is to provide securing means which cooperate with the grooved edges of the building material in a novel manner so that the aforesaid avoidance of visible exterior securing means is achieved.

A further object of the invention is to provide such cooperation between the securing means and the legs formed on the edges of the panels by the grooves therein, that the securing means may be positioned and spaced along the panel lengths prior to the setting up of the latter in the position in which they are to be secured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a securing means and panel combination as referred to hereinabove, whereby such combination may be easily nailed to a support therefor while only the panel need be held in position.

A further object of this invention is to assure the proper fixed positioning of those edges of the panels which fit in the grooves of adjacent panels, and to which the securing means are not attached, by the novel cooperation therewith of the securing means for the said adjacent panels.

Still another object of this invention is to provide durable clip means structure which, while particularly adapted to perform the aforesaid functions, may be manufactured easily and cheaply by mass production stamping or molding methods.

A further object of this invention is to assemble the panels so that the customary flat surfaces thereof are formed into a series of ofiset sections, thereby providing an interesting pattern or somewhat rustic elfect and also eliminating the possibility of cracks appearing between the various panels due to the shrinkage of certain of the materials used.

A further object of this invention is to interlock adjacent sections and their contiguous corners for Wall, ceiling, and even floor construction by means of one leg interfitting in the groove of the adjacent element.

An additional object of this invention is to eliminate the fragile tongue construction, such as used in flooring, and to provide instead a sturdy side edge construction, even for very thin panels, which will not be damaged in transit or in storage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible corner, either with or without grooved supports, which can be snapped into place between adjacent side walls Patented Dec. 3, 1857 ice and which will automatically compensate for the shrinkage and expansion of the side walls.

Still another object of the invention is to provide edgegrooved panels with factory pre-finished surfaces which will not be marred by nailing through such surfaces upon assembly at the location of use due to the use of the novel securing means of the present invention.

With the foregoing and other objects in view as will appear from a reading of the following specifications and claims, the invention resides in the novel arrangement and combination of parts and in the details of construction and process of manufacture hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be further understood that my invention is susceptible of embodiment in many and various forms, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and that the structural details or particular steps of the method herein set forth may be varied to suit particular purposes.

In using a material made in sectional form, there is always present the line between the various sections even when the sections are newly installed. Generally, this line of demarcation between the various panels becomes progressively worse as certain of the materials which are used become dry and consequently shrink. This shrinkage occurs not only in wood, plywood, synthetic lumber, gypsum board, etc., but also in plastics, resins and other materials.

It will be seen that my invention provides a novel way of eliminating the criticism against plywood and other panels that a monotonous, plain and uninteresting surface is provided. The line or space between the panels is diflicult to hide, so my invention acknowledges this defect and overcomes the disadvantage by accentuating and beautifying the apparent defect by providing an interesting structural change. Furthermore, my construction allows for limited expansion between adjacent panels by means of the overlapping of these panels and provides for excessive compensation to be made between adjacent walls by means of the flexible corner of the movable square corner. In addition, there is provided means for allowing easy installation without the use of visible nailing and the probable result of face marring. This in turn permits of factory pre-finishing.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and the nature of the latter will be more readily understood, when the following description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a form of panel construction in order to show an embodiment of the novel securing means of the invention fastening the panels to the supporting means.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two of the panels shown in Fig. 1 with part of one of the panels broken away to show .the relationship between the various parts of this clip means and the panel groove and one leg defining the same.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view on a slightly enlarged scale of the clip means per se shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Referring in detail to Fig. 1, 1 illustrates a panel having a groove 2 and legs 3. This panel may be formed of any material, such as, natural wood or any synthetic wood, such as Masonite, Celotex, Insulite, or may be formed of laminations of various materials, such as, metal and wood, wood and plastic, wood and leather, etc. However, my invention is particularly concerned with use of the above idea in connection with plywood 3 panels with which unusual results have been obtained. Wherever the expressions plywood or panels are used; however, sections or pieces of any material are also included.

In assembling panels 1, one of the legs 3 formed by the groove 2 in one panel is interlocked in the groove 2 of the adjacent panel. In one embodiment of the invention, the panels are secured to the lumber or plywood sheathing or plaster wall 4 by gluing or nailing or a combination of gluing and nailing. The panels may be of any size, such as 4 ft. by 8 ft., 4 ft. by 9 ft., 3 ft. by 6 ft. or any other larger or smaller sizes. An interesting effect is produced by panels 12 inches to 18 inches wide by 8 ft. high. From a structural standpoint, the width of the panel will depend to a certain extent upon the thickness or strength of the panel. For example, if A inch plywood is used, the maximum width could be of the order of 12-24 inches, but for /4 inch plywood, the maximum width safely could be the normal maximum width of plywood panels, i. e., 48 inches. However, I do not desire to limit myself to any particular width.

The panels 1 are not secured to the sheathing 4 by either the gluing and/or the nailing referred to hereinbefore. Instead, as an important feature of the present invention, securing means are provided which function in a cooperative manner with the grooves 2 already provided for the purposes set forth hereinbefore. One embodiment of such securing means is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 6, securing means comprises a rectangular blank having one portion thereof bent at an angle thereto. Apertures are provided in the main body portion of the blank for permitting securing of the same to the chosen supporting means 4 as by nails or other suitable means such as screws. The panel 1 is positioned with one end in abutment with supporting means 4, and then the blank is positioned with the main body portion in abutment with supporting means 4 and the angle portion in the groove 2 of panel 1. Nails are then driven through apertures and into supporting means 4 whereby a leg 3 of panel 1 is clamped between the angle portion and supporting means 4. A second panel 1 may now be positioned so that a leg 3 thereof is in the groove 2 wherein angled portion of the securing means is also positioned as just described. The other end of the second panel 1 may then be secured to supporting means 4 by means of another blank in the same manner as just described. As a practical matter, a plurality of blanks may be used along the length of the grooves 2 to firmly secure the usually elongate panels 1.

In Figs. 1 to 3 there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein novel securing means are incorporated which present certain advantages over that described hereinbefore.

As seen in Fig. 3 these securing means comprise a rectangular blank 130. The blank 130 may be a metal stamping, a molded plastic, or any other suitable material having the desired resiliency characteristics as will appear more clearly hereinafter. The blank 130 is cut by slits 132 so as to define a region 134 therebetween and side regions 133. The region 13 extends in the plane of a main body portion 131 of the blank 139 while the regions 133 are bent in oifset relation to the main body portion so as to have a high portion 138 and a low portion 139.

This relationship may best be seen in Figs. 1 and 3. The main body portion is provided with an aperture 135 to receive a nail 136 or other means such as screws.

The structure described permits the application of the securing elements to the leg 3 prior to raising the panel 1 to the position to which it is to be secured. This is possible due to the clamping action applied to the leg 3 by cooperation of the surface of region 134 and the surface of low portion 139 as best shown in Fig. 1. After the number of stampings 130 which are deemed-necessary to properly secure the panel to' the supporting means, are

applied to the leg 3, the panel is raised to the proper position and the nail 136 may then be driven through the aperture 135. Subsequently, a second panel 1 is positioned with a leg 3 thereof positioned in the groove 2 of the first panel 1. As indicated in Fig. 1, a close fit is achieved by means of the raised portions 138 of the region 133 which abuts the leg 3 of the second panel and resiliently urges the inner surface of the said leg 3 against the corresponding surface of the leg 3 of the first panel. This permits of some leeway in the dimensioning of the width of the groove 2, while still assuring that there is no play permitted between the panels 1 after installation. The notches 137 are merely the result of the stamping processes used in the formation of the blank from metal, for example, during which the next adjacent blank is cut therefrom and the slots 132 are cut therein.

By the use of the securing means described in the foregoing, the necessity of positioning the securing means as a separate manual operation, subsequent to the arrangement of the panels in wall-forming position, is obviated. Furthermore, the use of the aforesaid securing means, by obviating the necessity of driving nails or similar means through the panel faces, results in the avoidance of the possibility of the marring of such faces when the panels are set up. Thus, in accordance with an important concept within the purview of the invention, the surfaces of the panels are prefinished at the mill during the manufacture of the former. Accordingly, it is assured that the panels have a better finish due to the availability and use of better equipment and material by better informed, experienced and more capable personnel. Likewise, the ruining of a mahogany faced panel, for example,.by use of the wrong filler or wrong stain by an uninformed carpenter or other person doing the work, is eliminated.

Among some of the advantages oifered by the foregoing construction are the following:

1) Sound heat insulation is provided by reason of the dead air space.

(2) Any problem of contraction and expansion is eliminated.

(3) Furring strips may be omitted because of the air spaces, which practically eliminates expansion and contraction due to lack of moisture condensation on the panels. Rotting and deterioration is also eliminated.

(4) Because of the diagonal construction instead of flush construction, furring need not be done even if the walls are slightly out of line.

(5) The nailing is concealed.

(6) No tongues are present which may be broken during manufacture, transit, storage or assembling.

(7) Each of the long edges of the panels offers a continuous sturdy, bearing surface.

(8) Narrow widths of veneers can be used in making panels. Panels need not be 4 ft. by 8 ft., but can be 1 ft. or less by any length.

(9) The narrow plank width eliminates waste of material.

(10) The panel lends itself to being preiinished because there is blind or hidden nailing. Since no nailing on the outside surface is necessary, a final finishing or staining after installing is superfluous.

(11) The securing means may be applied to the panel before the latter is raised to the position in which it is to be secured. installation is thus facilitated since all that is necessary is the driving of a nail through the already positioned securing means.

(12) Since the panel may be manufactured in narrow width, it may thus be of light weight and not awkward to store or install. As a result the panels may be handled easily without marring the pre-finish thereon.

(13) Interesting mismatched paneling jobs can be done.

(14) The invention is particularly adaptable to the use of plywood because of its inherent strength and lack of tendency to warp when compared with ordinary lumber.

The offset panels provide a variety of interesting applications, while allowing speed of erection, particularly with the use of a simple clip.

It is thus seen that I have invented a novel construction which, because of the elimination of (1) face nailing and (2) use of filler after 'countersinking, may be prefinished at the mill. In addition, as indicated hereinbefore, due to the securing clips, fastening tongues are unnecessary, the narrow width panels permit easy handling for shipping, storing and installing, and face marring is reduced to a minimum. As a result, prefinishing at the mill during the manufacturing of the panel will assure a better finish due to the use of better equipment and material by better informed and more capable personnel. Hence, the ruining of a mahogany faced panel, for example, by use of the Wrong filler or Wrong stain by an uninformed carpenter is eliminated.

What I claim is:

1. An interior building construction comprising a plurality of thin plywood panels arranged in side edge to edge relationship, each of said panels having a prefinished surface and a longitudinal groove on opposite side edge portions thereof, said grooves each separating a pair of legs formed on each of said side edge portions, one of said legs on each side edge portion of one of said panels fitting within said longitudinal grooves and being surrounded by said pair of legs of an adjacent one of said panels, a supporting Wall positioned directly behind said panels, and separate clip means fastening each of said panels to said supporting wall with said prefinished surface facing outwardly, each of said clip means comprising a body having one portion thereof fastened to said supporting wall, a second portion thereof inserted within one of said grooves and in abutment with the inner surface of that one of said pair of legs which is closer to said supporting wall, and a third portion thereof in abutment with the outer surface of the last named one of said legs, said body and said third portion being coplanar and means resiliently mounting said second portion on said first portion and urging said second portion toward said third portion to clamp said last-named leg therebetween.

2. An interior building construction comprising a plurality of thin plywood panels arranged in side edge to edge relationship, each of said panels having a prefinished surface and a longitudinal groove on opposite side edge portions thereof, said grooves each separating a pair of legs formed on each of said side edge portions, one of said legs on each side edge portion of one of said panels fitting within said longitudinal grooves and being surrounded by said pair of legs of an adjacent one of said panels, a supporting Wall positioned directly behind said panels, and separate clip means fastening each of said panels to said supporting wall with said prefinished surface facing outwardly, a securing element through each of said clip means into said supporting wall, each of said clip means comprising a body having one portion thereof fastened to said supporting wall, a second portion thereof inserted within one of said grooves and in abutment with the inner surface of that one of said pair of legs which is closer to said supporting wall, and a third portion thereof in abutment with the outer surface of the lastnamed one of said legs, means resiliently mounting said second portion on said first portion and urging said second portion toward said third portion to clamp said lastnamed leg therebetween, said second portion having a part thereof resiliently abutting said leg which is fitted into said groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 454,111 Coupe June 16, 1891 967,521 Houck Aug. 16, 1910 1,176,457 Jones Mar. 21, 1916 1,246,585 Geraerdts Nov. 13, 1917 1,506,656 Murphy Aug. 26, 1924 2,048,641 Venzie July 21, 1936 2,066,813 Williams Jan. 5, 1937 2,090,529 Gram Aug. 17, 1937 2,144,885 MacFadden Ian. 24, 1939 2,200,649 Wardle May 14, 1940 2,216,948 Keating Oct. 8, 1940 2,257,048 Fulbright Sept. 23, 1941 2,258,574 Leary Oct. 7, 1941 2,276,071 Scull Mar. 10, 1942 2,325,766 Gisondi Aug. 3, 1943 2,469,252 Wiegert et a1 May 3, 1949 

